Dobson Returns Signal There Is More Coming

Noah Dobson is heading to Montreal for Emil Heineman and the Canadiens' two first-round picks in the 2025 draft.

Stefen Rosner

David Kolb

, and

The Elmonters

Jun 27, 2025

LOS ANGELES — The New York Islanders have traded 25-year-old defenseman Noah Dobson to the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for 23-year-old forward Emil Heineman and picks No. 16 and No. 17 in the 2025 NHL Draft.

Dobson signed an eight-year extension worth $9.5 million annually.

Initial thoughts… It’s more about what comes next for the Islanders.

Losing a potential 70-point defenseman isn’t an easy thing to do, and, as of right now, the Islanders don’t have anyone on the right side of their defense that can produce at that level.

They are incredibly likely to be adding that kind of player on the left side, with Matthew Schaefer, but the right side is slim.

However, zoom out on the trade for a second.

While the initial return may look underwhelming — Heineman recorded 18 points (10 goals, 8 assists) in 62 games — the Islanders have created a pathway to moving up in the draft.

Additionally, it is crucial to consider that the Islanders have essentially opened up $9 million or more in available cap space by not signing Dobson to an extension.

The Islanders currently have $20.943 million in available cap space, and if we estimate the remaining contracts — Alexander Romanov at $5M AAV, Simon Holmstrom at $4M AAV, Maxim Tsyplakov at $2.5M AAV — that would leave GM Mathieu Darche with around $9 million in available cap space.

That means the Islanders can be players in free agency, for someone like Nikolaj Ehlers or Brock Boeser — that’s if Darche wants to spend the money right now.

The reality of the situation is that Darche had a line — a line on an extension with Dobson’s camp — that he wasn’t willing to cross. He very easily could have.

And, with Schaefer likely coming, a player who is going to play, at some point, on the top power-play unit — he could be on the top penalty-kill unit, too — there was no reason for the Islanders to pay Dobson top PP quarterback money, especially for eight years.

I think the Canadiens made a mistake here because they are paying Dobson that kind of money, yet it will be Lane Hutson who quarterbacks the top unit.

Now, let’s get to what this trade means for James Hagens.

I believe that Darche will attempt to use both picks acquired to move up into the top 10.

The teams to watch are Utah, ranked No. 4, Nashville, ranked No. 5, Philadelphia, ranked No. 6, and Boston, ranked No. 7.

However, there is an issue here for Darche.

It will probably take more than both of those two picks, because if Utah does want to trade down or any of the teams mentioned, making a deal with the Pittsburgh Penguins, who own No. 11 and No. 12, or the Columbus Blue Jackets, who own No. 14 and No. 20, is a much better move for the Mammoth.

The first thing Utah GM Bill Armstrong is going to do is call those teams once he receives — if he hasn’t yet — an offer from the Islanders.

The Islanders have zero leverage since the rest of the NHL knows they would be moving up to draft the Long Island native.

I do think those two picks + could get it done, of course, depending on the team. However, regardless, a deal for Hagens will likely appear to be an overpayment until the Islanders have the opportunity to reap the benefits.

The Islanders may have to include one of their two picks in the 2026 NHL Draft, more likely Colorado’s, which they got in return for Brock Nelson.

Darche walking away from the 2025 NHL Draft with Schaefer, Hagens, $9 million in space essentially, and Heineman would be some excellent work for the first-time GM.

Before we sign off and wait for official announcements, I would like to share something meaningful about Dobson.

When Zach Parise was on the Islanders, the grizzled veteran sat at his locker stall after every practice and every game, including his final career game.

He would always make time for questions, and it reflected his understanding of what it means to be a professional athlete.

After Parise left, do you know what Islanders player was at his stall after every practice and every game?

You guessed it. And that includes after the Stadium Series, too.

There was a part of me that believed he’d be wearing a letter at some point if he remained with the Islanders.

Dobson was great with me, and I truly wish him nothing but the best.